Friday, February 29, 2008

I've listed to most of Linkin Park's popular songs; What I've Done, Numb, In The End ... But of all of their songs that have gone mainstream recently, I have to say Shadow of the Day is probably my favorite.As with most of Linkin Park's songs, I love the drum beat in this song. All of the melodies and harmonies on this track really work for the mood the band was going for, which is very powerful; this song can be very meaningful to a lot of people. The lyrics in this song are absolutely heartbreaking, but in a good way. It's just one of those songs that you listen to and it completely upsets you, because it's so true ... but then you feel better after listening to it. You feel inspired and awakened.I don't know. Maybe that's just me.If this song doesn't inspire you, maybe the music video will. I find it extremelly hard to watch, so be warned; this isn't a feel-good music video. But, in the same strange was that the song seems to inspire at least me, the music video does the same.Just a great track. Way to go, Linkin Park, for putting out another stellar single.

Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day Music Video

Shadow Of The DayLinkin Park

I close both locks below the windowI close both blinds and turn awaySometimes solutions aren’t so simpleSometimes goodbye’s the only way, oh

And the sun will set for youThe sun will set for youAnd the shadow of the dayWill embrace the world in grayAnd the sun will set for you...

In cards and flowers on your windowYour friends all plead for you to staySometimes beginnings aren’t so simpleSometimes goodbye’s the only way, oh

And the sun will set for youThe sun will set for youAnd the shadow of the dayWill embrace the world in grayAnd the sun will set for you

And the shadow of the dayWill embrace the world in grayAnd the sun will set for you

And the shadow of the dayWill embrace the world in grayAnd the sun will set for you

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I havn't listened to much AFI yet, but they've got me sold on Miss Murder. What an awesome song! The melody is extremely catchy; it's impossible not to tap your foot when you're listening to this one. I'm in love with the bass line, and the guitar solos are amazing. The drumming is very impressive as well. The vocals are outstanding - love the screaming - and the lyrics are great, too. I just can't say enough about this song; I can't stop listening to it!But what I really love is this song's music video ... wow! Definantly one of my favorites, and without a doubt the best video I've watched in a while. The director's cut of the video also features AFI's song Prelude 12/21 which has a haunting mood about it; another great track from AFI's latest album, DECEMBERUNDERGROUND (2006), on which Miss Murder was also recorded.I'm looking very forward to doing my research on AFI and finding more great tracks by this group; I'm sure I won't be dissapointed. Any AFI fans out there reading this? If so, feel free to leave a comment and let me know which songs are your favorites.But for now, here's the full length music video for AFI's Miss Murder. Enjoy!

AFI - Miss Murder Music Video (Director's Cut)

Prelude 12/21AFI

This is what I brought youThis you can keepThis is what I broughtYou may forget meI promise to departjust promise one thingKiss my eyesAnd lay me to sleep

This is what I brought youThis you can keepThis is what I broughtYou may forget meI promise you my heartJust promise to singKiss my eyes and lay me to sleepKiss my eyes and lay me to sleep

This is what I thoughtI thought you'd need meThis is what I thoughtSo think me naiveI'd promise you a heartYou'd promise to keepKiss my eyes and lay me to sleepKiss my eyes and lay me to sleepKiss my eyes and lay me to sleep

What's the hook, the twistWithin this verbose mystery?I would gladly bet my life upon itThat the ghost you love, your ray of lightWill fizzle out without hopeWe're the empty set just floating through, wrapped in skinEver searching for what we were promisedReaching for that golden ring we'd never let goBut who would ever let us put put our filthy hands upon it?

UPDATE! February 29th, 2008: I am proud to say that after reviewing DECEMBERUNDERGROUND and falling in love with literaly every track, I now own AFI's latest album. Each and every song on the 2006 release is simply stunning. AFI was even better than I expected and is now on my list of favorite groups. I encourage anyone who enjoyed Miss Murder and Prelude 12/21 to check out some of their other work as well.

Monday, February 18, 2008

What can I say? I'm slowly becoming a Fall Out Boy fan.My sister started it. She was a Fall Out Boy fan first, and she's kinda got me hooked on some of their songs. Of course I was already well-versed in the sounds of Sugar, We're Goin' Down; Dance, Dance; and Thnks Fr Th Mmrs; it was nearly impossible to avoid those ones on mainstream radio when they were first released, and the latter is still fairly popular. However, it was my sister who introduced me to Fall Out Boy's less popular tracks, and I must say they arn't half bad. A little more "pop" then what I usually listen to, but hey, in case you couldn't tell, I listen to just about everything.So now I have to say my favorite Fall Out Boy songs to date are the following, listed by album ...

Take This To Your Grave (2003)

- Grand Theft Autumn/Where Is Your Boy?- The Pros And Cons Of Breathing

From Under The Cork Tree (2005)

- Of All The Gin Joints In The World- Dance, Dance- Sugar, We're Goin' Down- I've Got A Dark Alley And A Bad Idea That Says You Should Shut Your Mouth (Summer Song)- A Little Less Sixteen Candles, A Little More "Touch Me"- Get Busy Living Or Get Busy Dying (Do Your Part To Save The Scene And Stop Going To Shows)

Yes, I realize that was quite the list, and that this post was meant to be a review for a song rather than a bunch of albums. Therefore, I'm going to move on and get to the point I was trying to make here. Of all the above listed songs, which one is my favorite?Probably The Pros And Cons Of Breathing. Hence the title of this post. See how that works?Anyway.I really love The Pros And Cons Of Breathing, mostly because of the lyrics. Fall Out Boy's bassist and lyricist Pete Wentz writes some really amazing stuff. The melody of this song is great as well; just a really great track overall.

Sadly, Fall Out Boy hasn't filmed a music video for this song and chances are they never will. So, instead, you guys get this random video off YouTube. Incredibly boring, but lets you hear an amazing song.So here it is; The Pros And Cons Of Breathing by Fall Out Boy.

Fall Out Boy - The Pros And Cons Of Breathing Video

The Pros And Cons Of BreathingFall Out Boy

Bury me standing under your windowWith this cinder block in handYeah, cause no one will ever feel like this againAnd if I could move I’m sure it would only be to crawl back to youI must have dragged my guts a blockThey were gone by the time we…

Whoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myselfYou know that I could crush you with my voiceWhoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myselfYou know that I could crush you with my voice

Stood on my roof and tried to see you forgetting about meHide the details, I don’t want to know a thing

I hate the way you say my name like it’s something secretMy pen is the barrel of the gun, remind me which side you should be on

Whoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myselfYou know that could crush you with my voiceWhoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myself You know that I could crush you with my voice

Stood on my roof and tried to see you forgetting about meHide the details, I don’t want to know a thing

I wish that I was as invisible as you make me feelI wish that I was as invisible as you make me feel

Whoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate my…Whoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate my…

Whoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myselfYou know that I could crush you with my voiceWhoa, I want to hate you half as much as I hate myselfYou know that I could crush you with my voice

Saturday, February 16, 2008

I have to say that I'm madly in love with Hellogoodbye's song Here (In Your Arms).Like usual, it's the lyrics. Another sweet, honest love song that completely melts my heart. That, matched with the techno/dance beat of this track make it more or less irresistable. An extremelly fun song to listen to that makes you feel good, too.I encourage fans of this type of music to check out the rest of the Zombies! Aliens! Vampires! Dinosaurs! album. Almost all the tracks on that album, which is Hellogoodbye's latest, are very techno style and tons of fun to listen to. However, Here (In Your Arms) is the obvious standout, in my opinion; it has won me over in the same way it has fans of Hellogoodbye and otherwise.Personally, I think the music video is ridiculous, and extremelly distracting from what I think is the message behind the song. I think Hellogoodbye could have done much better with the video ... but that's just me.Anyway, here it is; Here (In Your Arms) by Hellogoodbye.

Hellogoodbye - Here (In Your Arms) Music Video

Here (In Your Arms)Hellogoodbye

I like, where we areWhen we drive, in your carI like, where we are... here

Sunday, February 10, 2008

I have not heard much about Issakar recently. They are a local band (for me, anyway; got their start in Portland, Oregon, USA), and honestly, I probably would have never heard of them if they hadn't played live at my church camp three years ago. That's when my sister won an autographed copy of their album The Times (2005) and I first heard their music.I think these guys have a lot of potential. The lead singer, Josiah Warneking, has a voice that easily makes the transition from a soft ballad to an edgy rock track. He is also the talent behind the keyboard, which is present throughout the album. The rest of the band is very talented as well; Dustin Erhardt is on lead guitar and backing vocals, Josh Miller plays acoustic guitar and sings accompanyment, Justin Fish plays bass, and Robbie Tice is on drums. Together, these guys create a sound that unique and promising. I always thought with time, Issakar would be great.I hadn't looked them up in a while, not until I decided today that I wanted to write an album review for The Times on music.is.life. That's when I decided to Google the band, see where they were these days.Looks like Issakar has only become better. They released a new album, Every Time It Rains, in October of 2007 and I look forward to listening to the tracks on their latest album. As quoted from the band's website, their sophomore album is "a cross between Rascal Flatts and The Fray, but influenced by The Beatles ;-)". Yeah, the smily was on their webiste.Issakar also has tour dates booked across Oregon and Washinton State, and are traveling to Scottsdale, Arizona in April. Their music is now being featured on radio stations in Spokane, Washington and they hope to expand to other stations soon.I'm extremelly pleased to hear that this band has come so far; I always thought they had such good potential. Now knowing that they have a new album out, writing a review for their debut seems kind of silly, but it is the only music of theirs I know. As much as I liked The Times, I know Every Time It Rains will not be dissapointing, and I look extremelly forward to listening to it as soon as possible; I may even review it on this site ;)For now, here's a review for Issakar's The Times (2005).

Issakar - The Times

1. Guilty - A very powerful first track. Issakar sets a tone for their album right off the bat, establishing a religous message in Guilty's lyrics. Even besides the message, this track is very enjoyable, with strong vocals and a good melody to back it up.2. Come Away - A wonderful example of the vocal diversity of this group. While the first time they sing the chorus is softer, the repeated chorus is sung much deeper, more rock, with excellent backing vocals. A slightly repetitive track, but not so much to bore the listener.3. Hero - Another good example of vocal diversity. This song has a more original sound, with powerful electric guitar chords making a big impression in the verses. This song has a great melody as well as beautiful, meaningful lyrics.4. How Great - The keyboard makes its first big influence in what will be a reoccuring theme throughout The Times. Starting off softer and growing into a deep, passionate chorus, this song is great to listen to. Not an overly original track, nor is it one that really stands out on the album, but it can certainly stand on its own.5. Beach - This track picks up the pace with a catchy melody, backed by a hi-hat on the drums that keeps the tempo going along at a steady pace. The rap bridge is presented well, considering rap is not this group's main style of music. A very fun track to listen to.6. Dry Bones - Definantly one of my favorites. The lyrics alone were enough to sell me on the song, but the instrumentation and the execution of the vocals are phenominal as well. Again, the keyboard plays a major role in the melody. I just think there's a lot of passion in this song, as well as a great message. 7. One Voice - Not an overly exciting track, but I really do like the message behind the lyrics, which speak of reaching for your goals no matter now tough the circumstances (don't let the sun / set on your dreams / if your voice is a whisper / make it louder than screams ... know that one voice can change the world ). A slower track with a lot of soul.8. True Identity - Issakar must have brought in a different lead singer for this one; there's no way this is the same person who sang the lead for the other tracks. If I'm correct in my assumption, the guys made a good move; the man who sings this track's lead has an almost operatic voice which suits the song well. Not a stellar track, but I do like the lyrics a lot, and the melody of the chorus.9. Still - Another track with a big, beautiful keyboard melody. This song has phenomenal lyrics that can be understood in a religious way or otherwise. A lot of passion behind this track; lyrically, it may be one of my favorites, and the melody isn't bad either.10. Gesthemane - Starts off a little shaky, with lyrics that, in my opinion, are hard to understand. The song gets better as it goes and has a quite appealing chorus, but overall, just not one of my favorites.11. A Child's Cry - More keyboard melodies and acoustic guitars strum to accompany tragically sad lyrics. A beautiful song about hope in the face of disaster, with a touching religious message if you chose to interprit the lyrics in that way. A lot of passion and soul behind these lyrics, especially right before the chorus. A terribly sad song, but still beautiful.12. One Million Songs - A plain and simple love song. A keyboard & acoustic melody once again, which suits perfectly. A great vocal rangs for Josiah. The lyrics are sweet and this song is just overall pleasant to hear.13. Obsession - A very soft, quiet track to wrap up the album. Once again, the keyboard and acoustic come together to create a beautiful background for fantastic lyrics. Another love song, the lyrics for the final track are a bit more passionate than One Million Songs'. Just a beautiful track to listen to, and a great close to the album.

I encourage you to check out this group for yourself, even if you're not big on religious music. They have a very good sound that is appealing to someone of any belief. Issakar may not be big yet, but they can be ... and they're slowly getting there.

Issakar's band website is a great place to learn more about this group and what they're about, as well as tour dates and other information, if you are interested.

Sadly, I could not find any videos on the Internet of Issakar :( So instead of a video, I will post the lyrics to Dry Bones, one of my favorites. I cannot find official lyrics for this on the internet, either (might show how little know Issakar is at the moement...) so I am typing them up on my own. Please bear with me, there are sure to be typos and some of the lyrics may be wrong as well. Hopefully it will give you a feel for the song, and if you know I've written something wrong don't hesitate to leave a comment and correct me!

And if anyone has listened to any or all of Every Time It Rains, please, leave a comment and let me and other music.is.life readers know what you thought of Issakar's latest! It would be very much appreciated!

Dry BonesIssakar

Her mirror contains no mercyIn what it showsA broken shattered imageIs all she knowsA bed of wilted rosesIs all she seesHer satin heart is tearingShe cannot breathe

Her faith has all but fadedHer hope a dreamHer world, it falls around herIt hides her screams

Rejected, tormentedHer mind is ever captiveDarkness is bent on stealingHer will to live

Thursday, February 7, 2008

I really love this song.When I was little, I used to listen to Jewel ... anyone know her? My mom had one of her CD's and when I was little I used to put it in and listen to it to put me to sleep ... yeah, even as an eight-year-old I was addicted to music. Of course I was too young to really understand the depth of Jewel's lyrics, but I loved the songs.Anyway, you're probably thinking, "Okay, girl, where you going with this ... "I just think Anna Nalick sounds a lot like Jewel, in my opinion. I'm not sure what about them exactly sounds the same ... just some of the inflections in Anna's voice remind me a lot of Jewel, I guess.Either way, this song is breathtaking. Anna has an amazing voice, and the lyrics of this song are so deep and so pure. Just a really powerful, moving song, with a lot of meaning behind it. The music video is beautiful as well.Here's Breathe (2 AM) by Anna Nalick.

Anna Nalick - Breathe (2 AM) Music Video

Breathe (2 AM)Anna Nalick

2 AM and she calls me 'cause I'm still awake"Can you help me unravel my latest mistake?I don't love him, winter just wasn't my season."Yeah we walk through the doors, so accusing their eyesLike they have any right at all to criticizeHypocrites, you're all here for the very same reason

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cableAnd life's like an hourglass glued to the tableNo one can find the rewind button, girlSo cradle your head in your hands

And breathe... just breatheOh breathe, just breathe

May he turned 21 on the base at Fort Bliss"Just a day" he said down to the flask in his fist,"Ain't been sober, since maybe October of last year."Here in town you can tell he's been down for a whileBut, my God, it's so beautiful when the boy smilesWanna hold him, maybe I'll just sing about it

Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable,And life's like an hourglass glued to the tableNo one can find the rewind button, boysSo cradle your head in your hands

And breathe... just breatheOh breathe, just breathe

There's a light at each end of this tunnelYou shout 'cause you're just as far in as you'll ever be outAnd these mistakes you've made, you'll just make them againIf you only try turning around.

2 AM and I'm still awake, writing a songIf I get it all down on paper, it's no longer inside of meThreatening the life it belongs toAnd I feel like I'm naked in front of the crowdCause these words are my diary, screaming out loudAnd I know that you'll use them however you want to

But you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cableAnd life's like an hourglass glued to the tableNo one can find the rewind button nowSing it if you understand

And breathe, just breatheWoah breathe, just breatheOh breathe, just breatheOh breathe, just breathe

Sunday, February 3, 2008

While their first album was released in 2005, Paramore's second, Riot! (2007), has definantly put this band on the map.I'm actually quite impressed with this group, and their newest album. I had never heard of them until Riot! started becoming so popular, and that's when I decided to check them out. I was instantly surprised that the frontman was not a man at all, but a young woman; how stereotypical of me. I truely am ashamed. But really, it seems there are no mainstream groups out there with female vocals leading the songs; almost all the groups in the punk-rock scene are made up of all guys, and any of the girls in this genre seem to record as an individual artist. After the initial shock wore off, I was quite pleased to see a woman heading an alternative group. Good for Hayley Williams!And boy, once I started listening, I was also impressed by her voice. Hayley sings with a lot of heart, and that shines through in both Paramore's recorded tracks and live shows. Hayley's vocals paired with the rest of the band's talents on guitar and drums make for a really pleasing sound. Put that together with the kind of lyrics this group has come up with, and you've got yourself one heck of an album; and Riot! has proved to be just that, bringing Paramore into the mainstream spotlight and even landing them a 2008 Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist.

Grammy Update, February 13th 2008: Paramore fans will be disapointed to hear that they did not win the Grammy for Best New Artist at the awards on February 10th. Amy Winehouse fans, however, will be delighted to hear that she took the award instead.

Paramore - Riot!

1. For A Pessimist, I'm Pretty Optimistic - A catchy track; a good start to the album. I don't find anything about this track that especially stands out. I think this song gives you a good idea as of what's to come in the album, and the bridge especially gives you a taste for Hayley's vocal talents.2. That's What You Get - A touch more "pop"-y than the previous track, it's also a more appealing track overall. The lyrics in this one probably mean more to this group's target audience (asking the question, "why do we like to hurt so much?"), and the beat, especially the chorus, is addicting.3. Hallelujah - A wonderful track. The lyrics to this song are very deep and thoughtful, and the vocals are pure; it seems every note is hit effortlessly. Slightly softer in the beginning, the song picks up a bit after the first chorus and it just grows from there. Whether it has a religious significance to you or not, many people should be able to appreciate this track.4. Misery Business - The song which may be this group's most popular to date. Probably the most original in sound on the album, this track has you hooked from the opening melody and the driving beat keeps you listening all the way through. The vocals are full of raw emotion, and you feel this song rather than hearing it in most parts.5. When It Rains - The lyrics to this song absolutely blow me away and make this track one of my favorites on the album. The drum beat and bass line keep this song moving along at a steady pace, and the fading guitar chords add a nice touch. Just a great song overall; softer than the other tracks without sacrificing any of the quality.6. Let The Flames Begin - Another good, strong track. While the first verse seems soft and you expect another softer track, the chorus proves you wrong. The lyrics in this song are fabulous and are presented with exceptional talent.7. Miracle! - This song is strong from the opening melody, but if the melody isn't enough to get you hooked, the lyrics will do the trick. Again, these powerful lyrics are presented with enough emotion to really help the listner feel the meaning behind the song. A little different than the others on the album, I really like this track; another of my favorites.8. Crushcrushcrush - Maybe Paramore's second most popular to date, after Misery Business. The driving beat just makes you want to dance; again, a strong bass and drum line. The chorus is catchy, and I'm in love with the bridge. A track to play nice and loud. 9. We Are Broken - A lovely ballad to quiet things down after the ending of the previous track. The keyboard makes a significant apperance for the first time on the album, and it works wonders for the mood of the track. Throughout the whole first verse, it's as if you're waiting for the song to really begin; but with the first lines of the chorus ... those chords give you chills. Hayley's vocals add a painfully beautiful element that really make this song what it is.10. Fences - This track picks things up again after We Are Broken. The swing style beat is impossible to ignore; definantly a toe-tapping song. Again, the lyrics are presented exceptionally well, especially at the end of the chorus (this is your night / so smile / 'cause you'll go out in style). This is a fun song to listen to and is another one of my favorites; it gets stuck in my head all the time!11. Born For This - The echo on the vocals give this track a completelly different feel than the rest of the songs on the album; you can tell the group just had a blast recording this song. Besides the awesome melody and vocals, the lyrics are outstanding as well. A great close to the album.

Paramore sound like a good group? I encourage you to check them out for yourself.

The lyrics for all the songs on the Riot! album as well as Paramore's first album, All We Know Is Falling (2005), plus lyrics for their B-side tracks and more can be found on this website.

And here's the music video for Crushcrushcrush, so you can get a feel for what some of thier songs sound like. Enjoy!

Future Reviews:

- Keep checking back for updates in the new "Then & Now" series; a look back in the archives of this blog, talking about cowgirl4christ's opinions on several artists then ... and now.

- Mott The Hoople's song, All The Young Dudes

About The Blog

Music expresses that which cannot be said and on which it is impossible to be silent.~ Victor Hugo

This blog is a collection of cowgirl4christ, Reno, and Amy's favorite music. The posts on this blog will vary greatly in content, from song lyrics to album reviews. All of us have different tastes when it comes to our music, and the songs and artists mentioned here will be a little bit country, and a little bit rock & roll. However, there is one thing we all agree on; life wouldn't be the same without our music. For, as our blog title explains, music.is.life

A Note

To see all posts featuring the above mentioned artist, enter the artist's name in the field at the top left hand corner of your screen and then click "Search Blog".Keep in mind that the search engine is ridiculously vague. Putting your search in quotes may help narrow down the results.